Bauhaus Layout

Put the fun back in your drive!

A true gem, the X 1/9 was designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone, an individual who had designed many reputable vehicles including Lamborghini. Mid-engined, the balance and stability of this car is second to none for the price. Often called “a poor man’s Ferrari”, the mid-engine design of the X 1/9 was borrowed by Ferrari during design of the 308.

In 1978, X 1/9’s came with a carbureted 1300 engine and 4 speed manual transmission. This particular one has been upgraded to the drivetrain of a 1979, with a 1.5 liter, bullet proof Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection and 5 speed transmission. It runs very strong, and pulls well over passes due to a lightened flywheel and a freshly rebuilt engine. On a recent trip the highway gas mileage was recorded at 40 mpg. Not bad for a 37 year old go kart.

With the dual front and rear trunks, you have ample storage for traveling or grocery runs, providing you are not supplying a soccer team or giant banquet. Even then X’s are surprisingly spacious and store more than you think. Also, a rare full size spare is provided with this car – most are missing the spare,
as the odd-size
tire and rim
were lost.

The paint and interior are both in very good condition, with some wear as expected of a car of this vintage. There are a couple of fleabite rust spots from paint chips, and in the typical wheel well and windscreen frame spots that most X’s are known for acquiring rust. A few garden variety dings you’d expect from use and parking lot fiascos too.

Interior is free of tears, has a few minor scuffs and the dash has minor cracks at the windshield from too many years of baking in the sun. Overall, the body and interior are superior to most X’s you’d find at this price. The body did have a repaint some years back.

Though we are coming into the cooler weather, you can still enjoy the open air with the top stowed in the nose, and feel the wind in your hair. The beauty of the targa top is twofold: you have a built in roll bar for safety, and with the windows rolled up, you can run with the top off and the heater on and never feel the cold. Perfect for warm days and cool nights.

When cared for, and the minimal maintenance of oil changes and checking the fluids is performed, these cars run forever with very few breakdowns. This particular one is well sorted, with no wiring disasters or “frankenstein” modifications performed. The 1.5L swap was executed perfectly, and other than different bumpers this car could pass for it’s 1979 younger brother.